His books were better when he wrote alone...

Another one of those stories that feels like it's more of the author whose name is at the bottom of the book than the author whose name is at the top of the book.

I read this a while back. Patterson co-writes with several authors. This one I thought was going to be a slow read--- not so! To quote from the jacket " The Beach House is a breathtaking legal thriller of deceit and revenge--with a finale so shocking, it could only have come from the mind of James Patterson."

Very Entertaining (short) Beach Book, Grisham-esque!

The dust jacket leads off with the claim that the authors have "written THE beach read of the season...", so let's start by acknowledging this is an entry in fun summertime reading, not classic literature. That said, Patterson and de Jonge have collaborated to amuse and entertain for a most pleasant afternoon read. Take out the blank and half-blank pages, and what's left barely extends beyond page 200, so it is a fast run through. The short (typically 3-page) chapters add to the hustle of the pace; and the story per se kept our attention to the very last page. So you should find your pages turning in a pretty big hurry.

The plot is essentially a mystery, though not one about who got killed (Peter Mullen, a likable 20-year old who spends much of his time in bed, with company); nor who did it (we find that out pretty quickly); nor will the police catch the bad guys. Rather, it's almost a morality tale where the older brother, Jack Mullen, a recent law school graduate, devotes a year or so to solving the whole crime, proving the finding of the original coroner's inquest to be faulty (bought and paid for); and then pursuing justice as best he can with a little help from his friends and relatives. A little romance along the way just helps our feet curl up more sand.

We find as good a plot as Patterson has dreamed up in a little while, and before it's all over, we get bowls full of corruption, greed, big money parties and mansions, lust and illicit sex, romance, justice and injustice. The ending should satisfy just about everybody's idea of what's fair, but the suspense that leads us there makes the book tough to put down.

What more can one ask for fun at the seashore?!?!

3.75/5 ⭐. Right from the start this book is fast paced and full of action. If you like murder mysteries/legal thrillers then you should read this book.

When his brother Peter turns up dead with a strong suspicion of suicide, law student, Jack Mullen decides that it is time to figure out what really happened. His brother would never have committed suicide, particularly since the body looks like Peter was beaten to death.

On the night in question, Peter had been hired to work as a valet at a huge Memorial Day bash on the Long Island estate of the extremely wealthy and influential Barry Neubauer and family.

Jack brings int he help of his grandfather, a private eye with who he starts to build a relationship, and a small group of locals to try and prove that Peter was in fact murdered and that there is a major cover-up with a surprising and disturbing sexual twist.

Jack and his cohorts are forced to take extreme measures when the official inquest turns up a confirmation that Peter died either by suicide or accident. While this brings the novel into the area of outlandishness, it is exciting and interesting. I know it left me cheering along as Jack stuck it to those who had caused him and his family (among others) so much harm.

I could feel de Jong's influence a bit on this one as some sections had rambling characters and a feeling of just running on, which is rare for Patterson in his short and concise sentences and chapters. It did not make the book one that I would rather have passed up, but at times, it left me wanting to scream, "All right, already! I get it!"

Not one of his best books . Lacked the intensity I've come to expect in a James Patterson book . The characters were likeable and justice was served in the end . Thats what counts .

Jack Mullen is a brilliant Columbia Law student when his younger brother, Peter, drowns in the ocean off East Hampton. They grew up on the beaches of The Hamptons and Jack is convinced that Peter's death was no accident. There's just no way Peter would have gone for a late-night swim while working at the $40 million beach house known for its elite parties where he parked cars and such since he was thirteen. Chief Detective Frank Volpi insists Peter's death was either an accident or suicide. But Peter's body was horribly bruised and he'd just bought a $19,000 motorcycle. Jack insists, "You don't wash a motorcycle twice a day when you're contemplating suicide." The rich and powerful Neubauers, who own the beach house where Peter drowned, know more than they're telling. Along with his grandfather, a close colleague and five life-long friends, Jack takes on the high-and-mighties of East Hampton to avenge his brother's death.
This is more than just a web of lies and deceit. There's love, power, revenge and the Mullens Family. "They're the working-class Kennedys of Montauk. The same good looks and charisma, the same Irish Catholic blarney, and the same tragic curse."

Although some of the storyline was a bit far-fetched, I boosted my rating to 4-stars for the revenge and characters. I love a good revenge storyline. Nothing pleases me more than watching the guilty squirm. Some of the main characters are very well developed, as well. Some had real faces to me, like Jack's grandfather, Mack. I saw him as 100-percent actor Wilford Brimley (Cocoon, The Firm): kind, sincere, intelligent, firm, honest, very straightforward.

Journalist Peter de Jonge collaborates with Patterson here as well as in the 1996 golf fantasy "Miracle on the 17th Green." Together again, they spin quite a tale.

This book was about a man who wants to avenge his brother's death. He is sure it was a murder, but the people who did it have a lot of money (this story takes place in the Hamptons) and a lot of ways to cover it up.



The book was fairly good......for awhile. A lot happened in the beginning that made me want to keep reading. But then it started to lose me about 3/4 of the way through. It took a weird turn, and I did a lot of eye rolling.



There are better James Patterson books out there. This is a really, really easy read, so if you are bored on a beach in the summer, pick it up at a library. Otherwise - just pass.

The book was a fantastic read about a death, a cover up, and vigilante justice. Peter was the darling of the townies in the Hamptons and also of the super wealthy summer time residents. Peter was murdered, but the state said it was death by drowning. Peter's brother, Jack, a brilliant law student and later a lawyer, goes about to prove that Peter was murdered. How Jack makes his case is not standard jurisprudence or even legaI, but the storyline is strong enough to carry the action. You will want to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth as this mystery unfolds.

The author's writing mechanics were good. I do not think the book was the author's best book, but it was certainly good. I started reading it yesterday, took time to sleep, and finished it today.

I read this book for free on Open Library. Readers, I urge you to make use of this service.

Thank you, Mr. Patterson, for a good read.

i haven’t been so captivated by a murder mystery in SO long, i struggled to put this down. thoroughly enjoyed all the twists and characters

Fast and easy read. Liked the characters.